THE Scone Thoroughbreds capped off the perfect season in Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League at Scone Park on Saturday afternoon. The club's emphatic 40-6 grand final victory over the Aberdeen Tigers not only allowed the side to remain unbeaten in 2019, but also defend its first grade crown. While the Thoroughbreds were tradesman-like in their win, the same couldn't be said for their rivals. The Tigers, uncharacteristically, produced an error-riddled display, which was compounded by Jayson Hovi's send-off in the second half. And, even though dynamic hooker Adam Clydsdale walked away with the man of the match honours, the award could have gone to a number of his Scone team-mates. Isaac Austin, Ben Hagan, John Johnson, Todd Lowrie, Tom Hagan, Jake Collison, Brady Curry and stand-in skipper Justin Apthorpe continually put Aberdeen on the back foot. That extra space then enabled halves Jake Watts and Jarrod Wicks to give plenty of early ball to their outside men Tim Smith, Joel Harrison, Josh Adams, Ronin Hadden and Hayden Topliss, who snared a double. "What a day," Apthorpe said. "We lost our leader, and regular captain, Daniel Ritter during the week, but everyone stood up in his absence. "The boys wanted to win for each other - as well as our club and our town. "To go back-to-back is a great feeling. "I'd just like to thank coach Aaron Watts, the staff, committee, our families and all the supporters here today. "Full credit must also go to Aberdeen, too; they never gave up." The encounter could not have started any better for Scone. Austin powered over within the first couple of minutes and, when Watts converted, the hosts led 6-0. A mistake at the back by Aberdeen put the Thoroughbreds in the driving seat again, and Watts made them pay with the team's next try. He landed the goal for a 12-0 scoreline. The Tigers dug deep, via Liam Foran, Shane Hasselmann, Marcus Marsh and Daniel Hoogerwerf, to stay in touch with the hosts. In the 19th minute, fullback Ewin Bartholomew found Scone snoozing in defence to touch down near the uprights. Harry Douglass reduced the margin to 12-6. But, another error - almost immediately - gifted the Thoroughbreds a further four-pointer, this time to Topliss. Watts made no mistake with the kick to push ahead 18-6. When Topliss secured his second of the afternoon, which was converted, Scone went to the break in front 24-6. Although Aberdeen tried valiantly after the interval, nothing fell in its favour. Hovi's dismissal also rubbed extra salt into the wound. The Thoroughbreds, however, refused to take it easy on their rivals. Clydsdale, Wicks and Adams all found the tryline as well - with Watts on target with two shots at goal - to seal the resounding triumph 40-6. It certainly backed up the girls' success in the league tag finale earlier in proceedings.

That extra space then enabled halves Jake Watts and Jarrod Wicks to give plenty of early ball to their outside men Tim Smith, Joel Harrison, Josh Adams, Ronin Hadden and Hayden Topliss, who snared a double.

"What a day," Apthorpe said.

"We lost our leader, and regular captain, Daniel Ritter during the week, but everyone stood up in his absence.

"The boys wanted to win for each other - as well as our club and our town.

"To go back-to-back is a great feeling.

"I'd just like to thank coach Aaron Watts, the staff, committee, our families and all the supporters here today.